goalkeeper Robert Sanchez needs to “do better” following yet another costly mistake. The Spaniard’s latest error allowed City to overturn the score and secure a 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium.
With the game tied at 1-1 in the 68th minute, Erling Haaland beat Trevoh Chalobah to a long pass behind Chelsea’s defense. Sanchez rushed out but was beaten to the ball by Haaland.
The City forward deftly chipped the ball over Sanchez into an empty net. This incident followed another error by Sanchez earlier in the week when he dropped a cross leading to a goal in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Wolves on Monday.
Maresca told Sky Sports after Chelsea’s defeat against City: “The game started very well for us. We scored the first one and could have scored the second goal two or three times. The game would have completely changed. We missed.
“The team was there but in the last minutes we conceded for 1-1. The second goal changed the game. Robert is the first one [to admit] he knows he has to do better. Working hard every day [is the way to improve]. We try to have conversations with all of them.
“We are making progress. We are better than one or two months ago. These moments will make us better.”
It is quite the U-turn from Maresca, who insisted that mistakes are part of Sanchez’s job after the shot-stopper’s error against Wolves.
“He’s okay. I understand it can happen,” the Italian said about Sanchez this week.
“How many times Moi [Caicedo] missed a pass? Many times. How many times does Nico [Jackson] miss a goal? Many times. How many times does Noni [Madueke] miss a cross? Many times.
“It is not something strange, it is part of the job.”
Sanchez has made five errors leading to goals in the Premier League this season, tied with Ipswich goalkeeper Arijanet Muric for the most in the top-flight.
Maresca’s decision to name Sanchez as his first-choice goalkeeper at the beginning of the season was met with mixed reactions. Filip Jorgensen had taken over from Sanchez in the second half of last season and impressed during the final months of Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure.
This term, Jorgensen has been the backup to Sanchez. It’s uncertain if Maresca will decide to make a change when Chelsea host West Ham at Stamford Bridge.
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